Connector structure incorporating a cable reel and combined switch systems

Abstract

A connector structure includes a connector shell, and incorporates a cable reel, an encoder, and a turn-indicator system and a lighting system. The connector shell has an axis, and is configured to be joined with a steering shaft having an axis. The connector shell includes a cylindrical section fitted around the steering shaft in a freely rotatable manner, and a receptacle section which includes a shoulder portion extending outwardly from one end of the cylindrical section, a peripheral sidewall portion, and first and second parting strip portions symmetrically provided with respect to the axis of the connector shell, thereby forming, inside the receptacle section, a central zone between the first and second parting strip portions, a first peripheral zone between the peripheral sidewall portion and the first parting strip portion, and a second peripheral zone between the peripheral sidewall portion and the second parting strip portion. The cable reel is then mounted and fixed in the central zone of the receptacle section. The turn-indicator system and the lighting system are mounted and fixed, respectively, in the first peripheral zone of the receptacle section and the second peripheral zone thereof. The connector structure further includes a shell lid which includes a top wall with a center hole and an external sidewall. The center hole is configured to receive the main axis of a steering wheel in a freely rotatable manner, and the top wall and the external sidewall cover the connector shell.

What is claimed:  
     
       1. A connector structure incorporating a cable reel and a switch system, said connector structure comprising: 
       a connector shell having an axis, said connector shell configured to be joined with a steering shaft having an axis, so that said connector shell axis and the steering shaft axes are alignable,  
       said connector shell comprising a cylindrical section and two end portions, said cylindrical section fitting around said steering shaft in a freely rotatable manner, said connector shell further comprising a receptacle section including a shoulder portion extending outwardly from one end portion of said cylindrical section, a peripheral sidewall portion, and first and second parting strip portions symmetrically provided with respect to said axis of said connector shell, thereby forming, inside said receptacle section, a central zone between said first and second parting strip portions, a first peripheral zone between said peripheral sidewall portion of said receptacle section and said first parting strip portion, and a second peripheral zone between said peripheral sidewall portion of said receptacle section and said second parting strip portion;  
       said cable reel being mounted and fixed in said central zone of said receptacle section; and  
       said switch system comprising at least a turn-indicator system and a lighting system, respectively mounted and fixed in said first peripheral zone of said receptacle portion and said second peripheral zone thereof.  
     
     
       2. The connector structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said cable reel comprises a mobile body portion including a top wall and an internal sidewall, and said top wall comprises a cancel cam formed unitarily and in one piece therewith. 
     
     
       3. The connector structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said cable reel comprises a mobile body portion including a top wall and an internal sidewall with projecting portions, said projecting portions being fixed with a main scale, said cable reel further comprises a fixed body portion including a bottom wall and an external sidewall, said external sidewall defining a third peripheral zone together with said peripheral sidewall portion of said receptacle section in an area between said first and second peripheral zones around said axis of said connector shell, and said third peripheral zone contains an encoder, such that said encoder is configured to detect the steering angle of said main scale. 
     
     
       4. The connector structure according to  claim 2 , wherein said cable reel comprises a mobile body portion including a top wall and an internal sidewall with projecting portions, said projecting portions being fixed with a main scale, said cable reel further comprises a fixed body portion including a bottom wall and an external sidewall, said external sidewall defining a third peripheral zone together with said peripheral sidewall portion of said receptacle section in an area between said first and second peripheral zones around said axis of said connector shell, and said third peripheral zone contains an encoder, such that said encoder is configured to detect the steering angle of said main scale. 
     
     
       5. The connector structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said connector structure further comprises a shell lid which includes a top wall having a center hole and an external sidewall, said center hole is configured to receive the main axis of a steering wheel in a freely rotatable manner, and said top wall and said external sidewall cover said connector shell. 
     
     
       6. The connector structure according to  claim 2 , wherein said connector structure further comprises a shell lid which includes a top wall having a center hole and an external sidewall, said center hole is configured to receive the main axis of a steering wheel in a freely rotatable manner, and said top wall and said external sidewall cover said connector shell. 
     
     
       7. The connector structure according to  claim 3 , wherein said connector structure further comprises a shell lid which includes a top wall having a center hole and an external sidewall, said center hole is configured to receive the main axis of a steering wheel in a freely rotatable manner, and said top wall and said external sidewall cover said connector shell. 
     
     
       8. The connector structure according to  claim 4 , wherein said connector structure further comprises a shell lid which includes a top wall having a center hole and an external sidewall, said center hole is configured to receive the main axis of a steering wheel in a freely rotatable manner, and said top wall and said external sidewall cover said connector shell. 
     
     
       9. The connector structure according to  claim 5 , wherein said shell lid is configured to also serve as a steering column cover. 
     
     
       10. The connector structure according to  claim 6 , wherein said shell lid is configured to also serve as a steering column cover. 
     
     
       11. The connector structure according to  claim 7 , wherein said shell lid is configured to also serve as a steering column cover. 
     
     
       12. The connector structure according to  claim 8 , wherein said shell lid is configured to also serve as a steering column cover.